This sub-tropical to tropical growing tree that produces leaves with nine lobes. This plant is sometime used as a fast growing tropical in garden design, but worldwide it is a very important commercial crop that produces huge potato-like roots that have a high carbonhydrate content. It is reported that the cassava is third most food producing crop in the world because of the edible roots. In frost-free areas it is evergreen and in areas with light freezes plant die back to the ground but growth returns in early spring. Plants need eight to nine months of frost-free temperatures to produce edible roots. This can be a nice fast growing ornamental tree for small areas like courtyards and other places that need quick shade.